Carl‑Gunne Fälthammar (born 1944) is a Swedish physicist known for his contributions to space plasma physics and magnetospheric science. He has held academic positions at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm and has been associated with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF). Fälthammar is the co‑author of A Textbook of Space Plasma Physics (1997), a widely used reference in the field.
Education and career
- Ph.D. in physics, Uppsala University, 1972.
- Professor of physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, where he has taught courses on plasma physics and space science.
- Research scientist at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), contributing to experiments and theoretical studies of the Earth's magnetosphere and solar‑wind interactions.
- Visiting scientist and collaborator with the European Space Agency (ESA) on several space‑mission projects, including investigations of plasma processes on board satellite missions.
Research contributions
Fälthammar’s work focuses on the theoretical and observational aspects of plasma behavior in space environments. His research topics include:
- Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave propagation in planetary magnetospheres.
- Kinetic theory of plasma instabilities relevant to auroral phenomena.
- Development of analytical and numerical models for the interaction between the solar wind and planetary magnetic fields.
His textbook, co‑written with T. H. Stix, has been adopted in many graduate‑level courses and remains a standard reference for students and researchers in space plasma physics.
Professional affiliations
- Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- Fellow of the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
- Served on advisory committees for ESA and the International Space Science Institute (ISSI).
Selected publications
- Fälthammar, C.-G., and Stix, T. H. (1997). A Textbook of Space Plasma Physics. Cambridge University Press.
- Various peer‑reviewed articles in journals such as Journal of Geophysical Research, Planetary and Space Science, and Annales Geophysicae covering plasma wave phenomena and magnetospheric dynamics.
Recognition
Fälthammar’s contributions to the understanding of space plasma processes have been recognized through citations, invited lectures at international conferences, and participation in interdisciplinary research programs linking physics, engineering, and space exploration.